Bed-bottom



LI (No'ModeL) F. M. CASE.

BED BOTTOM.

No. 268,356. Patented Nov. 28, 1882*.

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, UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

FRANCIS M. CASE, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

BED-BOTTOM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 268,356, dated November 28, 1882. Application filed October 24, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANCIS M. CASE, a citizen otlthe United States of America, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain newand usei'ul Improvementsin Bed-Bottoms,of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates toan improvement in bed-bottoms, and is more particularly applicable to the class known as woven-wire mattresses, formed of spiral springs having their coils interwoven, but may be applied to other forms of bottoms in which the supporting medium is liable to sag from the stretching caused by the weight of the person sleeping wit. it is on the same principle as the device patented to me as an improvement in cot-bedsteads, September 12, 1882, and numbered 264,137.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan view Fig. 2, a side view; Fig. 3, a side view before the stretching; and

' Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are details on a largerscale.

A A represent the clamping or end bars of a bed-bottom or woven mattress, to which the web B, of canvas, coiled springs, or other material, may be attached in anysuitable manner; but preferably the bars are made in two pieces, as shown in the enlarged views, Figs. 4, 5, and 6, in which the bars are divided longitudinally so as to form two parts, between which the web or supporting material is clamped, as shown in Fig. 4. These parts may be screwed together by common wood-' screws or bolts and nuts, as shown in Figs. 4

and 5. The ends of these bars may be squared, but I prefer to fit them with metal thimbles 0, either square or hexagonal externally, and having keys formed on the inside, as shown in Fig. 6, to prevent the bars turning therein; or instead of round bars hexagonal or octag onal ones may be employed, which will fit into thimbles having corresponding openings to receive the bars. On these thimbles, or the squared ends of these clamping-bars if the thimbles are not used, are snugly fitted the side bar, D, and lever E, the two being pivoted together at 0., This bar and lever may be formed of hard wood for some classes of bedbottoms, or they may have metal sockets to receive the ends of the clamping-bars; butin most cases I prefer to make them wholly of metal, and especially in large or double beds. This bar and lever act on the same principle as those shown in my Patent No. 264,137; but instead of the ends of the clam ping-bars being round, as in my said patent, they are so fitted to the bar and lever as to prevent their turntage is gained, because as the leverEis pushed downward not only are the end bars pushed farther apart, but they are turned round, so as to wind the web around them. One of the bars, A, has but very little motion, but the one to which the lever E is attached (A) can be readily given a quarter of a revolution, thus winding the web one-fourth round the bar A and making it perfectly tight. Should the web become a little loose from wear or otherwise, small blocks may be inserted between the squared ends of the clamping-bars and the bot; tom of the recesses in the side bar and lever, andthus an additional tightening may be given to the web without winding it farther around the clamping-bars; but should it become very looseanother quarter-turn may be readily given to the clamping-bar A, and thus any degree of tightness may be given to the web or any amount of slack taken up. When the lever has been brought down to its normal position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it may be secured there by sliding the rectangular loop G over its end, or a pin or screw maybe passed through holes in both, or any convenient means employed for fastening it.

The web may either be passed over the tops of the clamping-bars, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or they may have the web underneath, as shown in Fig. 3. In the latter case, if the bed-bottom 'is in use on a bedstead it can be tightened when in position, but if the web is passed over the top, as in Figs. 1 and 2, the bedbottom will have to be lifted out of the bedstead to tighten it.

By this arrangement and construction of parts avery convenient knockdown or rollup bed-bottom is made that will be very convenient for transportation, or for storing away to be used in any emergency, for by taking the side bars and levers 0d the ends of the clamping or end bars the latter and the web may be ing in the latter, whereby an important advan-' rolled together in small compass, either with or Without the side bar and levers inclosed, and the whole stored in any corner or hung up out of .the way, and when wanted for use as a bed it can be readily stretched, and by placing it on four chairs, one at each corner, or by attaching legs at each end of the side bar, it will make a comfortable bed.

I have shown the clamping-bars at the end and the stretching device at the sides; but it is obvious that the position of these parts may be reversed.

I do not limit myself to the end bars made to clamp the web between them, as, if preferred, the bars may each be made in one piece, of any suitable form, and the web nailed on them. Sometimesl propose to fit the end bar A loosely in the side bar, as it makes little or no difference Whether this end bar turns in the socket or not, and instead. of fitting the lever E to the exterior of the thimble it may be fitted to pass into a socket in the thimble.

What I claim as new isl. The knockdown or roll-up bed-bottom herein described, consisting of two bars to which the webbing is attached, the side bar, D, pivoted lever E,and a suitable device for bolding the lever in position, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a web, of two bars to which the web is attached, one bar being titted to stretching-bars and the other connected to a stretching-lever and constructed to turn with said lever as the latter is moved,

and suitable fastening devices to lock the levers in position, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the web, of the two bars carrying the web, each bar being provided with a polygonal end, the side bars, and stretchin g-levers, pivoted to each other and the levers fitted to said polygonal ends, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the divided bars AA, each having a polygonal end, of the web B, clamped in thedivision between said clamping-bars, the side bar, D, pivoted lever E, the latter fitted to the polygonal ends, and suitable fastening devices, all substantially as described.

5. The combination, with the web, of the two bars carrying the web, each bar being provided with a thimble having a polygonal exterior, the side bar and lever, pivoted to each other and the latter titted to the thitnble, and suitable fastening devices, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the divided bars A A, each having one end provided with a thimble, F, of the web B, clamped in the division between said clainping-bars, the side bar, D, pivoted lever E, and suitable fastening devices, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix mysignature, in presence of two witnesses, this 20th day of October, 1882.

FRANCIS M. CASE. Witnesses:

JAMES TAYLOR, J. M. MAITLAND. 

